JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved the Stand for Service Act, connecting city-backed job growth to the local military and veteran community.
The legislation requires 10% of new jobs created with the help of city incentives to go to veterans, National Guard members, reservists and active-duty military spouses.
“This is a workforce we always want to see grow,” City Council President Nick Howland said.
Howland, a Navy veteran, said veterans bring valuable skills to the workforce and contribute to the community.
“It’s important to note that veterans earn more than civilians, they give to charity more than civilians, they also vote more than civilians,” Howland said.
Council member Chris Miller said the ordinance sends a message to military families and companies considering Jacksonville.
“What it also does is send the message that we do value our veterans, our military, and any new company that comes here, they know what that mark on the wall is,” Miller said.
Employment experts say military families often face unique workforce challenges, including translating military experience into civilian job skills. Frequent relocations also can disrupt military spouses’ careers.
The ordinance includes a second economic development provision focused on Cecil Airport. It directs Jacksonville’s economic development office to give additional consideration to projects and incentives that benefit Cecil.
City officials say the goal is to expand Jacksonville’s aviation and aerospace industries.
“We’ve got a lot of industrial jobs,” said Harrison Conyers of the Jacksonville Department of Veterans Affairs. “There’s even jobs working with the federal government, like at NAS Jacksonville, going back and working on the engines and the aircraft that come in there.”
Conyers said veterans bring employers strong work habits and other valuable qualities.
“They bring a tremendous skill set of loyalty, of knowing how to get to work on time, of high character,” he said.
Companies looking to relocate or open near JaxPort also will receive additional consideration for economic development incentives under the legislation.